Powered toothbrush head having combination oscillating motion tuft block

Abstract

A powered toothbrush head that, in one embodiment, includes a head portion including a first movable tuft block configured for holding tooth cleaning elements. The first movable tuft block is operably connected to a motor-driven drift shaft for movement. An eccentric cam formed on the shaft drives the first movable tuft block via engagement with a slot formed in the body of the first movable tuft block. The first movable tuft block is movable in a combination oscillating motion comprising vertical motion and lateral pivoting or tilting motion upon rotation of the drive shaft. A related method for oscillating the first movable tuft block is disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for oscillating a first movable tuft block of a powered toothbrush in a brushing action, the method comprising:
 (a) providing a powered toothbrush having a head portion comprising a vertical axis and including a rotatable drive shaft driven by a motor, the head portion including a first movable tuft block operably coupled to the drive shaft and movable in an oscillation cycle through a bottom vertical position and a top vertical position; 
 (b) placing the first movable tuft block in the bottom vertical position with the first movable tuft block in an upright orientation wherein a top surface of the tuft block faces upwards; 
 (c) rotating the drive shaft; 
 (d) pivoting the first movable tuft block outwards away from the vertical axis in a first lateral direction and into a first tilted orientation wherein the top surface of the first movable tuft block faces outwards away from the vertical axis; 
 (e) vertically raising the first movable tuft block towards the top vertical position while at least partially maintaining the first tilted orientation; 
 (f) pivoting the first movable tuft block inwards back toward the vertical axis and into the top vertical position wherein the first movable tuft block resumes an upright orientation; 
 (g) pivoting the first movable tuft block outwards away from the vertical axis in a second lateral direction and into a second tilted orientation wherein the top surface of the first movable tuft block faces outwards away from the vertical axis; 
 (h) vertically lowering the first movable tuft block towards the bottom vertical position while at least partially maintaining the second tilted orientation; and 
 (i) pivoting the first movable tuft block inwards in the first lateral direction back towards the vertical axis and into the bottom vertical position wherein the first movable tuft block resumes an upright orientation, thereby completing one oscillation cycle of the first movable tuft block. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the motion steps of the first movable tuft block are completed during a 360 degree rotation of the drive shaft. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tuft block defines a vertical centerline which is disposed at an angle between 0 and 90 degrees to the vertical axis of the head portion of the toothbrush when the first movable tuft block is in the first or second tilted orientation. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising engaging an offset eccentric cam formed on the drive shaft with a vertically elongated slot formed in the first movable tuft block, wherein the cam rotates about an axis of rotation defined by the drive shaft and drives the first movable tuft block through the motions of steps (d) to (i). 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the top surface of the first movable tuft block includes a plurality of openings configured for mounting tooth cleaning elements. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising engaging an intermediate portion of the first movable tuft block with one of a pair of inwardly extending opposing operating flanges formed in the head portion of the toothbrush during step (d) and step (g). 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising engaging an outwardly flared leg extension formed on the first movable tuft block with one of a pair of inwardly extending opposing operating flanges formed in the head portion of the toothbrush during step (d) and step (g). 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the head portion of the toothbrush including a pivot which engages a bottom surface of the first movable tuft block. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first movable tuft block includes an upper bristle holding portion, a lower base portion, and a narrowed intermediate portion joined between the bristle holding and base portions, wherein the first movable tuft block is free floating in which the bristle holding, base, and intermediate portions are not physically attached to the head portion of the toothbrush.